CHICAGO – January 29, 2013. Governor Pat Quinn today partnered with leaders from DHL and Pizzas 4 Patriots to send 21,000 Chicago-style deep dish pizzas to servicemembers just in time for Super Bowl Sunday. That’s enough pizza to feed every soldier stationed in Afghanistan and Kuwait.

Super Bowl Sunday is traditionally America’s biggest day of the year for eating pizza. Since our troops serving overseas are unable to enjoy the game at home, the not-for-profit organization Pizzas 4 Patriots works to make sure a slice of home comes to them.

“It’s our duty as civilians to honor our men and women in uniform for the many sacrifices they make to protect our freedom,” Governor Quinn said. “I’m proud to partner with DHL and Pizzas 4 Patriots to help bring one of the many comforts of home to our troops overseas who are unable to enjoy the biggest sports day in America with their friends and family.”

“Since 2008, we have had the pleasure of providing our brave U.S. servicemen and women overseas with the most delicious, authentic ‘slices of home,’ letting them know we care and we are thinking of them,” said Ret. Master Sergeant Mark Evans, founder of Pizzas 4 Patriots. “While our soldiers’ presence in the Middle East continues to become smaller, they still need to know that we appreciate the sacrifices they make for us, our families and our country.”

The DHL team will be packing and loading all 21,000 ready-to-bake, Chicago-style pizzas from Illinois-based Great Kitchens into DHL cargo jets and shipping them. Once in the Middle East, the shipment will be distributed to Camp Bastion, Bagram Airbase and Kandahar – all in Afghanistan – as well as Camp Arifjan in Kuwait and various Forward Operating Bases in both countries. DHL Express will provide door-to-door, final delivery for the distribution, working closely with the U.S. military to ensure the pizzas are delivered fresh and ready at the various military bases.

“We are fortunate to have an experienced, committed staff that truly understands the intricacies of international shipping. And, we are honored to leverage our global network, so U.S. troops can enjoy a taste of home this Super Bowl Sunday,” Ian Clough, CEO of DHL Express U.S said. “While DHL Express handles urgent shipments like this across borders every day, I know our teams are working extra hard to ensure the pizzas arrive fresh and in excellent condition.”

Since 2008, Pizzas 4 Patriots has worked with DHL Express to send more than 122,000 pizzas in support of U.S. military personnel overseas. For more information please visit: www.Pizzas4Patriots.com.

Governor Quinn is a long-time champion of Illinois’ Veterans and servicemembers. As State Treasurer, he launched Operation Homefront to inform National Guard members and reservists of their rights under the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act. As Lt. Governor, his Illinois Military Family Relief Act to aid the spouses and children of those called to active duty became a model for other states. As Governor, he has visited Illinois troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Germany, and is committed to the goal of getting 100,000 Veterans hired in Illinois by 2020.